On the draft Council decision on the conclusion of a broad package of agreements between the European Union, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other part, to consolidate, deepen and expand their bilateral relations, and amending Decisions 2011/51/EU and 2011/738/EU
INTA-AD-785432
Committee on International Trade · Rapporteur: Željana Zovko
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The Committee on International Trade gives its opinion on the draft Council decision concluding a broad package of agreements between the EU and the Swiss Confederation. It calls on the Committee on Foreign Affairs to recommend approval of the draft decision.¶ The opinion says the modernised package creates a stable framework for deeply integrated economies, giving frictionless access to a market of 460 million consumers, reducing technical barriers and aligning standards in key sectors such as medical devices and agri-food products.¶ It states the package strengthens cross-border supply chains and gives clearer rules for people living, working or studying across the EU-Swiss border, and that deepening ties with a like-minded partner builds economic resilience and secures supply chains.¶
Committee position. The Committee on International Trade calls on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as the committee responsible, to recommend approval of the draft Council decision concluding the broad package of agreements with the Swiss Confederation.¶
Key points
- Switzerland is described as a like-minded and strategic partner with deeply integrated economies and interconnected markets, and as a partner in the World Trade Organisation committed to a rules-based multilateral trading system.¶
- Common challenges cited include Russia's aggression of Ukraine, economic security issues and unfair competition from non-market economies.
- The modernised package is said to establish a stable, forward-looking framework that reflects the high level of integration and adapts it to current economic and geopolitical realities.¶
- The package is said to enable frictionless access to a market of 460 million consumers, reduce technical barriers and align standards in key sectors, including medical devices and agri-food products.
- The package is said to enhance legal certainty, facilitate trade, strengthen cross-border supply chains and provide clearer and more consistent rules for individuals living, working or studying across the EU-Swiss border.
- The opinion states the EU accounts for around 53% of Switzerland's total trade and that Switzerland remains one of the EU's top global trading partners.¶
- It states that in 2024 bilateral trade in goods reached €328.3 billion, with EU exports of €193.4 billion and a surplus of €58.6 billion.
- It states EU companies account for more than two-thirds of foreign direct investment in Switzerland, while Swiss investments in the EU amount to approximately €588 billion.
- It states that in 2023 total bilateral trade in services reached €245 billion, accounting for nearly 9% of the EU's total trade in services and for 40% of Swiss exports and 45% of imports.
- The opinion says deepening and modernising relations with a trusted, like-minded partner strengthens economic resilience, secures supply chains and reinforces a rules-based international trading system.¶
- The Committee on International Trade calls on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as the committee responsible, to recommend approval of the draft Council decision concluding the broad package of agreements with the Swiss Confederation.¶
Who is affected
- EU and Swiss businesses: the package is said to reduce technical barriers, align standards and facilitate trade in sectors such as medical devices and agri-food products.¶
- Individuals living, working or studying across the EU-Swiss border: the package is said to provide clearer and more consistent rules.
- The EU and Switzerland: the opinion says the package consolidates, deepens and expands their bilateral relations.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 460 million consumers: the size of the market to which the package is said to give frictionless access.¶
- around 53%: the share of Switzerland's total trade accounted for by the EU.¶
- €328.3 billion: bilateral trade in goods in 2024.
- €193.4 billion: EU exports in 2024.
- €58.6 billion: EU surplus in 2024.
- approximately €588 billion: Swiss investments in the EU.
- €245 billion: total bilateral trade in services in 2023.
- nearly 9%: the share of the EU's total trade in services accounted for by bilateral trade in services in 2023.